heeeelllpppp
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Joined: Mar 2011
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heeeelllpppp
I found my 71 cutlass supreme convertible ( soon to be 442 tribute car) which I am in the middle of my restoration. But after my engine overhaul and 4 new floor pans and truck pan and minor fender repair I started adding up my investment. I paid $4700 for the car when I got it and it was in fair conditon the engine ran excellent and had alot of new outer components like new carb/ performer intake,fuel pump and filters ,new distrutor new manifolds and the previous owner gave me receipts for all the purposes of all the stuff he bought oh i forgot new gas tank and sending unit. So he had a little $$$$ invested in the car. His reason for saling was he had a couple true 442 he wanted to focus on. But anyway not including the $350 in gas it took me to drive to go get the car does $4700 sound like I got ripped off. I not sure but I really wanted this car too. My father in law intorduced me to classic cars and he was there through the whole ordeal and he really wasn't please with the price. And also so far through this restoration I haven't found any surpices on the car that I DIDN'T SEE when I bout it car was pretty solid other than truck and 4 floor pans if I knew how I would add pics from 1st day at home
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Pics 101
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,810
From: Long Island, NY
Really need more info than that. The price doesn't sound unreal for a convertible. When the top goes down the price goes up. You don't say if its a big block or small block, what shape the top & hydraulics are in, options, manual or automatic, differential, chrome & trim, etc. if its a car you truly want enjoy the process of what you are doing and view it as a hobby, not a business.
Last edited by droptopron; Apr 19, 2011 at 10:04 AM.
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 15,194
From: southeastern Michigan
Not at all. In fact, it could be argued that you bought the car for a below-market price. Around $5K for a Cutlass convertible of that era in good running condition but needing full restoration is very reasonable.
I've seen your kind of rambling, stream-of-consciousness postings in several forums on here, and in all of them, you to seem to suddenly be experiencing buyer's remorse and realizing that you're going to spend more on this car to get it fixed up the way you want it than it will be worth when you're done.
Well, as many have already said, welcome to reality. The way to make money in classic cars is not to buy them, fix them up, and then resell them because anyone with any knowledge of the business/hobby will tell you that you will never get back when you sell it what you've put into it. It's long been a universal truth that the only way to stay ahead in the classic car game is to buy one in as good a condition as you can at the outset. You'll spend more upfront, but you'll spend less in the long run.
As many have pointed out, the reason to get into this hobby is not to make money, but to enjoy the restoration process and then the vehicle itself when you are done. Or, as some people do, take what you can get for it when you are finished restoring it, and put that money toward buying the next car you'll fix up.
I've seen your kind of rambling, stream-of-consciousness postings in several forums on here, and in all of them, you to seem to suddenly be experiencing buyer's remorse and realizing that you're going to spend more on this car to get it fixed up the way you want it than it will be worth when you're done.
Well, as many have already said, welcome to reality. The way to make money in classic cars is not to buy them, fix them up, and then resell them because anyone with any knowledge of the business/hobby will tell you that you will never get back when you sell it what you've put into it. It's long been a universal truth that the only way to stay ahead in the classic car game is to buy one in as good a condition as you can at the outset. You'll spend more upfront, but you'll spend less in the long run.
As many have pointed out, the reason to get into this hobby is not to make money, but to enjoy the restoration process and then the vehicle itself when you are done. Or, as some people do, take what you can get for it when you are finished restoring it, and put that money toward buying the next car you'll fix up.
Last edited by jaunty75; Apr 19, 2011 at 10:29 AM.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 100
ALL THE INTERIOR WAS THERE THE BUCKET SEATS NEED REUPHOLSTRY AND THE CONSOLE NEEDED TO BE PUT BACK TOGETHER THE CAR NEED 4 FLOOR PANS AND A TRUNCK BIG BLOCK CAR THE CONVERTIBLE TOP DOES NOT WORK AND IT NEEDED A TOP ON IT ACTUALLY i NEVER TRIED TO MAKE THE CONVERTIBLE MOTOR WORK IT NEED NEW CYLINDER THEY ARE THERE BUT i DON'T THINK THEY WORK, THE LINES ARE DRY ROTTED AND NONE OF THE TRIM PIECES ON THE CAR WHERE MISSING WHEN i FIRST GOT IT SO i GUESS IT WAS A GOOD BY MY FATHER IN LAW THOUGHT i could have done alot better maybe $1000 cheaper oh yeah and it devantly needed painting something THAT WAS A GIVEN FOR ANY CLASSIC OF MINE SORRY FOR THE LARGE TEXT NOTHING INTENDED
Tony
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 450
From: wisconsin
Not at all. In fact, it could be argued that you bought the car for a below-market price. Around $5K for a Cutlass convertible of that era in good running condition but needing full restoration is very reasonable.
I've seen your kind of rambling, stream-of-consciousness postings in several forums on here, and in all of them, you to seem to suddenly be experiencing buyer's remorse and realizing that you're going to spend more on this car to get it fixed up the way you want it than it will be worth when you're done.
Well, as many have already said, welcome to reality. The way to make money in classic cars is not to buy them, fix them up, and then resell them because anyone with any knowledge of the business/hobby will tell you that you will never get back when you sell it what you've put into it. It's long been a universal truth that the only way to stay ahead in the classic car game is to buy one in as good a condition as you can at the outset. You'll spend more upfront, but you'll spend less in the long run.
As many have pointed out, the reason to get into this hobby is not to make money, but to enjoy the restoration process and then the vehicle itself when you are done. Or, as some people do, take what you can get for it when you are finished restoring it, and put that money toward buying the next car you'll fix up.
I've seen your kind of rambling, stream-of-consciousness postings in several forums on here, and in all of them, you to seem to suddenly be experiencing buyer's remorse and realizing that you're going to spend more on this car to get it fixed up the way you want it than it will be worth when you're done.
Well, as many have already said, welcome to reality. The way to make money in classic cars is not to buy them, fix them up, and then resell them because anyone with any knowledge of the business/hobby will tell you that you will never get back when you sell it what you've put into it. It's long been a universal truth that the only way to stay ahead in the classic car game is to buy one in as good a condition as you can at the outset. You'll spend more upfront, but you'll spend less in the long run.
As many have pointed out, the reason to get into this hobby is not to make money, but to enjoy the restoration process and then the vehicle itself when you are done. Or, as some people do, take what you can get for it when you are finished restoring it, and put that money toward buying the next car you'll fix up.
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,015
From: Near Muskegon Michigan
After doing a couple of chebies before, I already knew what I was getting into. However, I didn't catch ahead that olds parts cost more. Anyways, I always wanted a Cutlass since I was 16 and my dad would not let me get the one I wanted. Yeah, with a 455. I know why now. At least I'm still alive! That was the reasoning. So, now I have one, and done my way. I did all the Labor including paint. No labor = still expensive. I could have bought one aready done, but I still would have torn it apart to change it to what I wanted. More$. I don't plan on selling mine, so it was worth it. Anyways, anything can be changed down the road.
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 15,194
From: southeastern Michigan
I, too, admit to some confusion about his original post because I'm not familiar with every term there is in automotive lingo, and there could very well have been something called a "truck pan" that I wasn't aware of.
That's why we have a language and why we have the concept of the correct spelling of words. And, no, Mr. Archeryshooter, it's not a matter of feeling superior, it's just a matter of wanting to know what he's talking about. That's not too much to ask.
Tony
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 450
From: wisconsin
Spell check won't catch it because "trunk" and "truck" are both real words. What he really needs to employ is the concept known as "proofreading."
I, too, admit to some confusion about his original post because I'm not familiar with every term there is in automotive lingo, and there could very well have been something called a "truck pan" that I wasn't aware of.
That's why we have a language and why we have the concept of the correct spelling of words. And, no, Mr. Archeryshooter, it's not a matter of feeling superior, it's just a matter of wanting to know what he's talking about. That's not too much to ask.
I, too, admit to some confusion about his original post because I'm not familiar with every term there is in automotive lingo, and there could very well have been something called a "truck pan" that I wasn't aware of.
That's why we have a language and why we have the concept of the correct spelling of words. And, no, Mr. Archeryshooter, it's not a matter of feeling superior, it's just a matter of wanting to know what he's talking about. That's not too much to ask.
Registered User
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 3,057
From: Shorewood, Il.
C'mon guys - if you have to interpret each word and then assemble a sentence, somethings wrong!
I try to do that, but when there's too many ways to interpret something, we can't figure out the problem.
Archeryshooter - it's not a superiority thing, it's a 'understanding' thing, and I said what I said in the nicest way possible, so as not to offend anyone!
Sorry if it bothered you - just trying to get to the problem and resolution of it.
And, I hope you're not confusing superiority with experience, as we're all trying to relate!
I try to do that, but when there's too many ways to interpret something, we can't figure out the problem.
Archeryshooter - it's not a superiority thing, it's a 'understanding' thing, and I said what I said in the nicest way possible, so as not to offend anyone!
Sorry if it bothered you - just trying to get to the problem and resolution of it.
And, I hope you're not confusing superiority with experience, as we're all trying to relate!
Last edited by Rickman48; Apr 22, 2011 at 08:53 AM.
Connoisseur d'Junque
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 21,183
From: The Hudson Valley
A word of support for Rickman and Jaunty:
I have posted at greater length on this subject before, so I don't feel the need to repeat whatever it is that I wrote then, but suffice to say that in a printed communication medium, communication is based on writing, and if you can't write, you can't communicate.
Anyone who can speak can also write, though spelling and grammar might suffer a bit through the translation from some of our more interesting dialects (ever try listening to a Scotsman?). The problem is that when people use their keyboards to free-associate in their own local idiom, without regard to how their eructations will be read by those they are intended for, their readers become confused and frustrated, and resort to writing responses that make others think they feel superior.
It's really just a matter of simple respect for others' time and energy. If I care about my readers, I will read my post over once before pressing the "Post" button, to be sure my ramblings are comprehensible. If I do not, I will not.
- Eric
I have posted at greater length on this subject before, so I don't feel the need to repeat whatever it is that I wrote then, but suffice to say that in a printed communication medium, communication is based on writing, and if you can't write, you can't communicate.
Anyone who can speak can also write, though spelling and grammar might suffer a bit through the translation from some of our more interesting dialects (ever try listening to a Scotsman?). The problem is that when people use their keyboards to free-associate in their own local idiom, without regard to how their eructations will be read by those they are intended for, their readers become confused and frustrated, and resort to writing responses that make others think they feel superior.
It's really just a matter of simple respect for others' time and energy. If I care about my readers, I will read my post over once before pressing the "Post" button, to be sure my ramblings are comprehensible. If I do not, I will not.
- Eric
71 cutlass convertible
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,170
From: Trappe, MD
I don't think $4700 was too much. I spent $5700 about 3 years ago for mine. It needs a trunk and quarters still. The moter was done along with the front end when I got it as a part done project. My top works but is a 350 car. Have fun with it and don't worry about it. The time I'm spending rebuilding the car with my son is priceless. If you are worried about losing money, you need a different Hobby.
Larry
Larry
STOP call'n it a Chevelle
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 704
From: Binbrook, Ontario
The price paid for any classic car depends on your location too. I bought my 1968 Cutlass S with a 350 and 350th automatic in 1998 for $5000. I have since put in one floor pan, trunk pan and work on the doors and quarters. I bought in Nova Scotia, Canada. A coastal area where salt is used in the winter. It is very difficult to find 10 year old car without rot on them. A 40 year old car without cancer is never seen unless it is 10-15K plus and that will still not be a "trailer queen" condition car..
This hobby is not for people doing it for "investments." Unless you have a complete restoration shop at your fingertips and the knowledge and skill to do everything yourself I doubt you can make a profit from you car. I can't.
Have fun with the rebuild and let us know and see the progress.
Adam
This hobby is not for people doing it for "investments." Unless you have a complete restoration shop at your fingertips and the knowledge and skill to do everything yourself I doubt you can make a profit from you car. I can't.
Have fun with the rebuild and let us know and see the progress.
Adam
